The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-08-09
IMPORTED LABOR.
A System Which Is Working Great Harm in
Various Directions.

Various Directions.
New York Tribune.
Missionary work is one thing. immigration
another. Worthy and able men have coufound-
ed the two, and failing to see that life giving
influence cannot go out from this country, to
elevate those who walk In darkness other
by the degradation and Generalization of Amer
lean life, have opposed any restriction of iInmi-
grafton on the ground that it is the duty OF
Americans to welcome every opportunity to up
lift the oppressed and ignorant who come
to US from other lands Yet public opin-
ion has been steadily crystalli5ing
of the highest virtue and worth. men as devoted
any in the work of the Christian churches,
have come to see that restriction is duty.
This feeling finds expression in the resolution
adopted by fhe Ohio convention, during the
last week, and its reasons should be fairly
weighed. Opposition by Eastern men to
has been OF no avail. because it has
been felt that the unanimous appeal from
citizens of the Pacific States and Territories
ought not be diregarded by others far
removed from the evils and dangers they de-
pict. But now the question concerns a kind OF
immigration much sought by managers Of
soTe corporations, who want to get the cheapest
labor they can. and do for the final
influence upon tho social civil moral condi-
ton of the country In their behalf the argu-
ment will be urged that, if we. permit the free
immigration of Hungarian or italian labor, even
the most ignorant. the upliftine influence Of
Christian civilization will be brought to bear
upon men and women who could not otherwise
be reached.
Some years ago a great strike occurred in the
Connellsville coke region and employers. deter
mined to get cheaper and less independent labor,
imported army of Hungarians. The world
knows what troubles have followed, what strfes
and violence, what cruelty and injustice
side, and what dishonor to the cause of labor
the other Exactly the same thing has been
done by other corporations. in other localities,
and settlements of workers from Hungary or
Italy or other lands, as far removed as possible
in condition and character from the level of
American cifzenshi- been formed about
many mines, mills workshops. 1t is the
lesson OF experience that these immigrants,
brought in mainly under contracts to labor, and
always for the purpose of laboring at rate OF
wages below that paid to free American citizens
do not form a valus'' 'dtion to the popus-
ton. They work ees which make it inn
possible for them to the citizens of self
governing republic ssd to live They learn
nothing Of bur laws or institutions. They
powerfully influenced by Anarchists and Social
lists but not visibly influenced at all by the
Christian civilization about them, to which
they hold the attitude of enemies. nor by the
spirit OF this free Republic which they do not
comprehend.
Civilization helps a man when it begins by
opening him higher posi- bllities of life. Give
him the means live decently, to enjoy the
and fellow workmen who live and think as free
citizens should live and think. and then the
work of elevation will begin. But when So
called clvilation brings man here to make q
ing decently. or associating with free citizens,
or educating himself or his children. that IS an
other matter. The upiifting process does not
begin. The Christianizing of people whom
Christian civilization condemns TO exist as
beasts is not possible and the gatherings of such
labor become plague spots in our society. To
us they do incalculable harm: to them we do no
appreciable good.